Create Space for Soulful Whispers
Is the life you’re living, the same life that wants to live in you?
Is the life you’re living, the same life that wants to live in you?
How does this question sit with you – is it inviting, or does it annoy you? Personally, I’ve noticed that my reaction can be a blend of both.
Before moving on to the question itself, I think it’s important to learn what our reaction to the question wants to teach us.
A little back story: I read a book several years ago that deeply impacted me. It’s called “Boundaries For Your Soul, How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies” by Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller. It combines concepts from the work of Henry Cloud and John Townsend in their book “Boundaries” and Dick Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems (IFS) model all within the context of a Christian lens.
I hear people say all the time, a part of me wants to do this and another part of me doesn’t. The apostle Paul references in the book of Romans (Rom 7:15-25), our conflicting parts. A part of us that does what we don’t want to do (flesh of my fallen humanity) and a part that desires what is good (spirit). SEE The Message Version of this scripture at the bottom.
In previous blogs, you’ve heard me use the language “a part of me” and today is no exception.
As I reflect on how the question hits me, here’s what I discover from my initial reactions:
Currently, the question is annoying because of the time required to even consider it (timekeeper part).
The (achiever part) determines it will walk away unimpressed as there will be no checkbox completed, or any external evidence of accomplishment. Tending to value herself on productivity, I sense her rolling her eyes at the idea of “sitting” with this question.
The (curious part), the one seeking “answers”, is there as well. She braces herself for walking away disappointed from the ongoing unsolved mystery.
Another protective (scanner part) lives at the edges, constantly scanning the horizon for potential danger, either for myself or those around me. She has been known to compare, criticize, and judge in her attempt to help and I’m quite sure those traits won’t be helpful in considering this question.
What great information…it’s NO surprise that I’m resistant to spending time with the question.
Some common values among these parts include independence, safety, autonomy, tendency to stay small and seemingly they almost oppose the concept of faith. Sounds a bit fleshy.
Personally, I find clarity by identifying SPECIFIC aspects of my flesh. This specificity allows room for the Spirit’s voice to whisper Truth in my innermost parts. Zooming out, the word “flesh” is a bit too vague to prompt meaningful change. In essence, the whispers of Truth are muffled in the vastness.
What part(s) within you are resistant to hold space for this question? It may be helpful to ask a timekeeper part to step back, allowing you to pause and connect with your inner system.
Listening to our various parts and their perspectives, we can extend an invitation for them to step back and allow room for the Spirit’s leadership and guidance.
Returning to the question: “Is the life you’re living the same life that wants to live in you?”
Take a moment to write this question on sticky notes and place them in places where you engage in daily tasks - on the kitchen counter, the car dashboard, or a window that invites occasional moments of contemplation. Among the ordinary rhythms of our life, this question wants your attention. This may be one of those questions that we live with…and gradually…without noticing live our way into the answer.
I appreciate how Parker J. Palmer beautifully portrays the soul in his book, “Let Your Life Speak” likening it to a wild creature:
“The soul is like a wild animal – tough, resilient, savvy, self-sufficient, and yet exceedingly shy. If we want to see a wild animal, the last thing we should do is to go crashing through the woods, shouting for the creature to come out. But if we are willing to walk quietly into the woods and sit silently for an hour or two at the base of a tree, the creature we are waiting for may well emerge, and out of the corner of an eye we will catch a glimpse of the precious wildness we seek.”
I happened upon this picture years ago. For me, it conveyed Parker Palmer’s idea of our soul being like a wild animal and the gentle invitation needed to find its voice.
Are you willing to carve out some moments throughout February to see what unfolds when you create space for soulful whispers?
“Is the life you’re living the same life that wants to live in you?”
Romans 7:15-25 The Message
14-16 I can anticipate the response that is coming: “I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
17-20 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Til next time,
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If you have a friend that you think would appreciate these words, perhaps you could bless them by sharing.